When supply travels far beyond demand: Causes of oversupply in Spain’s transport infrastructure

Spain’s transport infrastructure policy has become a paradigmatic case of oversupply and of mismatch with demand. The massive expansion of the country’s transport infrastructure over the last decade has not been a response to demand bottlenecks or previously identified needs. For this reason, the intensity of use today on all interurban modes of transport in Spain falls well below that of other EU countries. This paper analyzes the institutional and regulatory factors that have permitted this policy, allowing us to draw lessons from the Spanish case that should help other countries avoid the pitfalls and shortcomings of Spanish policy.

When supply travels far beyond demand: Causes of oversupply in Spain’s transport infrastructure

Spain’s transport infrastructure policy has become a paradigmatic case of oversupply and of mismatch with demand. The massive expansion of the country’s transport infrastructure over the last decade has not been a response to demand bottlenecks or previously identified needs. For this reason, the intensity of use today on all interurban modes of transport in Spain falls well below that of other EU countries. This paper analyzes the institutional and regulatory factors that have permitted this policy, allowing us to draw lessons from the Spanish case that should help other countries avoid the pitfalls and shortcomings of Spanish policy.

When supply travels far beyond demand: Institutional and regulatory causes of oversupply in Spain’s transport infrastructure

Spain’s transport infrastructure policy has become a paradigmatic case of oversupply and of mismatch with demand. The massive expansion of the country’s transport infrastructure over the last decade has not been a response to demand bottlenecks or previously identified needs. For this reason, the intensity of use today on all interurban modes of transport in Spain falls well below that of other EU countries. This paper analyzes the institutional and regulatory factors that have permitted this policy, allowing us to draw lessons from the Spanish case that should help other countries avoid the pitfalls and shortcomings of Spanish policy. Based on our analysis, we also discuss policy remedies and suggest reforms in different regulatory areas, which could help improve the performance of Spain’s infrastructure policy.

DLL4 promotes continuous adult intestinal lacteal regeneration and dietary fat transport.

The small intestine is a dynamic and complex organ that is characterized by constant epithelium turnover and crosstalk among various cell types and the microbiota. Lymphatic capillaries of the small intestine, called lacteals, play key roles in dietary fat absorption and the gut immune response; however, little is known about the molecular regulation of lacteal function. Here, we performed a high-resolution analysis of the small intestinal stroma and determined that lacteals reside in a permanent regenerative, proliferative state that is distinct from embryonic lymphangiogenesis or quiescent lymphatic vessels observed in other tissues. We further demonstrated that this continuous regeneration process is mediated by Notch signaling and that the expression of the Notch ligand delta-like 4 (DLL4) in lacteals requires activation of VEGFR3 and VEGFR2. Moreover, genetic inactivation of Dll4 in lymphatic endothelial cells led to lacteal regression and impaired dietary fat uptake. We propose that such a slow lymphatic regeneration mode is necessary to match a unique need of intestinal lymphatic vessels for both continuous maintenance, due to the constant exposure to dietary fat and mechanical strain, and efficient uptake of fat and immune cells. Our work reveals how lymphatic vessel responses are shaped by tissue specialization and uncover a role for continuous DLL4 signaling in the function of adult lymphatic vasculature.

Persistent random walk model for transport trough thin slabs

We present a model for transport in multiply scattering media based on a three-dimensional generalization of the persistent random walk. The model assumes that photons move along directions that are parallel to the axes. Although this hypothesis is not realistic, it allows us to solve exactly the problem of multiple scattering propagation in a thin slab. Among other quantities, the transmission probability and the mean transmission time can be calculated exactly. Besides being completely solvable, the model could be used as a benchmark for approximation schemes to multiple light scattering.

Creating customer relationship management concept for engineering and service business

Customer relationship management has been one essential part of marketing for over 20 years. Today’s business environment is fast changing, international and highly competitive, and that is why the most important factor for long-term profitability is one-to-one customer relationships. However, managing relationships and serving customers that are profitable has been always challenging. In this thesis the objective was to define the main obstacles that the case company must overcome to succeed in CRM. Possible solutions have also been defined. The main elements of the implementation i.e. people, processes and technologies, can clearly be found behind these matters and solutions. This thesis also presents theoretical information about CRM and it is meant to act as a guide book inside the organisation to spread information about CRM for those who are not so familiar with the topic.

Engineering Geology for Society and Territory: volume 2: landslide processes

This book is one out of 8 IAEG XII Congress volumes, and deals with Landslide processes, including: field data and monitoring techniques, prediction and forecasting of landslide occurrence, regional landslide inventories and dating studies, modeling of slope instabilities and secondary hazards (e.g. impulse waves and landslide-induced tsunamis, landslide dam failures and breaching), hazard and risk assessment, earthquake and rainfall induced landslides, instabilities of volcanic edifices, remedial works and mitigation measures, development of innovative stabilization techniques and applicability to specific engineering geological conditions, use of geophysical techniques for landslide characterization and investigation of triggering mechanisms. Focuses is given to innovative techniques, well documented case studies in different environments, critical components of engineering geological and geotechnical investigations, hydrological and hydrogeological investigations, remote sensing and geophysical techniques, modeling of triggering, collapse, runout and landslide reactivation, geotechnical design and construction procedures in landslide zones, interaction of landslides with structures and infrastructures and possibility of domino effects. The Engineering Geology for Society and Territory volumes of the IAEG XII Congress held in Torino from September 15-19, 2014, analyze the dynamic role of engineering geology in our changing world and build on the four main themes of the congress: environment, processes, issues, and approaches.

Urban transport governance reform in Barcelona

The unusual mixed public-private structure of the urban bus market in the metropolitan area of Barcelona provides an interesting context in which to analyze the management challenges and opportunities of the partial privatization of public services. Initiatives used by the public regulator to promote competition for contracts, such as short term concessions to private contractors and the removal of entry barriers, have considerable potential for improving efficiency and quality. The growth in the share of routes managed by private firms in recent years shows that privatization is a credible threat that may well stimulate improved performance among public managers. The type of reform implemented in Barcelona is of interest to all metropolitan areas large enough to operate under constant returns to scale regimes, and suitable for potential concessions of routes in segregated areas inside the metropolitan area, so as not to miss out on the benefits of economies of density.

Uncertainty associated with Monte Carlo radiation transport in radionuclide metrology

In radionuclide metrology, Monte Carlo (MC) simulation is widely used to compute parameters associated with primary measurements or calibration factors. Although MC methods are used to estimate uncertainties, the uncertainty associated with radiation transport in MC calculations is usually difficult to estimate. Counting statistics is the most obvious component of MC uncertainty and has to be checked carefully, particularly when variance reduction is used. However, in most cases fluctuations associated with counting statistics can be reduced using sufficient computing power. Cross-section data have intrinsic uncertainties that induce correlations when apparently independent codes are compared. Their effect on the uncertainty of the estimated parameter is difficult to determine and varies widely from case to case. Finally, the most significant uncertainty component for radionuclide applications is usually that associated with the detector geometry. Recent 2D and 3D x-ray imaging tools may be utilized, but comparison with experimental data as well as adjustments of parameters are usually inevitable.

The role of the renal mineralocorticoid versus the glucocorticoid receptor in renal sodium and potassium transport

Dans le néphron distal sensible à l'aldostérone, le récepteur aux minéralocorticoïdes (RM) et le récepteur aux glucocorticoids (RG) sont exprimés et peuvent être liés et activés par l'aldostérone et le Cortisol, respectivement. La réabsorption rénale de sodium est principalement contrôlée par le RM. Cependant, des modèles expérimentaux in vitro et in vivo suggèrent que le RG pourrait également jouer un rôle dans le transport rénal du sodium. Afin d'étudier l'implication du RG et/ou du RM exprimés dans les cellules épithéliales adultes dans le transport rénal du sodium, nous avons généré deux modèles de souris, dans lesquelles l'expression du RG (Nr3c1Pax8/LC1) ou du RM (Nr3c2Pax8/LC1) peut être abolie de manière inductible et cela spécifiquement dans les tubules rénaux. Les souris déficientes pour le gène du RM survivent mais développent un phénotype sévère de PHA-1, caractérisé par un retard de croissance, une augmentation des niveaux urinaires de Na+, une diminution de la concentration du Na+ dans le plasma, une hyperkaliémie et une augmentation des niveaux d'aldostérone plasmatique. Ce phénotype empire et devient létal lorsque les souris sont nourries avec une diète déficiente en sodium. Les niveaux d'expression en protéine de NCC, de la forme phosphorylée de NCC et de aENaC sont diminués, alors que l'expression en ARN messager et en protéine du RG est augmentée. Une diète riche en Na+ et pauvre en K+ ne corrige pas la concentration élevée d'aldostérone dans le plasma pour la ramener à des niveaux conformes, mais est suffisante pour corriger la perte de poids et les niveaux anormaux des électrolytes dans le plasma et l'urine. -- In the aldosterone-sensitive distal nephron, both the mineralocorticoid (MR) and the glucocorticoid (GR) receptor are expressed. They can be bound and activated by aldosterone and Cortisol, respectively. Renal Na+ reabsorption is mainly controlled by MR. However, in vitro and in vivo experimental models suggest that GR may play a role in renal Na+ transport. Therefore, to investigate the implication of MR and/or GR in adult epithelial cells in renal sodium transport, we generated inducible renal tubule- specific MR (Nr3c2Pax8/LC1) and GR (Nr3c1Pax8/LC1) knockout mice. MR-deficient mice survived but developed a severe PHA-1 phenotype with failure to thrive, higher urinary Na+, decreased plasma Na+ levels, hyperkalemia and higher levels of plasma aldosterone. This phenotype further worsened and became lethal under a sodium-deficient diet. NCC protein expression and its phosphorylated form, as well as aENaC protein level were downregulated, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of GR was increased. A diet rich in Na+and low in K+ did not normalize plasma aldosterone to control levels, but was sufficient to restore body weight, plasma and urinary electrolytes. Upon switch to a Na+-deficient diet, GR-mutant mice exhibited transient increased urinary Na+ and decreased K+ levels, with transitory higher plasma K+ concentration preceded by a significant increase in plasma aldosterone levels within the 12 hours following diet switch. We found no difference in urinary aldosterone levels, plasma Na+ concentration and plasma corticosterone levels. Moreover, NHE3, NKCC2, NCC

Cardiac tissue engineering by electrical stimulation with subcutaneous and cardiac adipose-tissue derived progenitor cells (ATDPCs)

A major challenge of cardiac tissue engineering is directing cells to establish the physiological structure and function of the myocardium being replaced. In native heart, pacing cells generate electrical stimuli that spread throughout the heartcausing cell membrane depolarization and activation of contractile apparatus. We ought to examine whether electricalstimulation of adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells (ATDPCs) exerts phenotypic and genetic changes that enhance theircardiomyogenic potential.

Students’ viewpoint on engineering subjects taught in English

The European Educational Institutions have the challenge and the commitment to enhance multilingual competence and teaching curricular subjects in a foreign language is seen as one of the most promising alternatives. In that context, professors teaching different engineering subjects at the School of Engineering of the UPC at Manresa (EPSEM) have been involved in projects aiming at analyzing the current linguistic situation and developing some on-line open access materials using CLIL as a strategy. They formed the u-Linguatech Research Group on Multilingual Communication in Science and Technology in order to provide such resources in an effective and efficient way. In this paper, we focus on students’ perception of the improvement of their multilingual competence throughout their Engineering degree, by means of subjects taught in English by non-native speakers. Data about the English level of current students are taken into account. We also describe the use of the above resources to improve the quality of subjects learning related to Chemical Engineering curricula.

Implementació d’un sistema SCADA a la cèl·lula de fabricació flexible MPS+2000C

L’Escola Politècnica Superior de la Universitat de Vic disposa d’una cèl·lula de fabricació flexible del fabricant Festo, que simula un procés d’emmagatzematge automàtic, aquesta cèl·lula esta composta per quatre estacions de muntatge diferenciades i independents, l’estació palets, l’estació plaques, l’estació magatzem intermedi i l’estació transport. Cada una d’aquestes estacions està formada per sensors i actuadors elèctrics i pneumàtics del fabricant Festo que van connectats a un PLC SIEMENS S7-300.Els quatre PLC’s (un per cada estació) estan connectats entre ells mitjançant el bus de comunicacions industrials Profibus. L’objectiu d’aquest treball consisteix en l’adaptació de la programació dels PLC’s i la realització d’un SCADA per tal de controlar el funcionament del conjunt de la cèl·lula de fabricació a través del software Vijeo Citect, d’aquesta manera es coneixerà el funcionament de la cèl·lula i permetrà treure’n rendiment per la docència. Aquest projecte ha estat realitzat en quatre fases principals. 1. Estudi i coneixement de les estacions, en aquesta fase s’han estudiat els manuals de funcionament de les estacions i s’han interpretat els codis de programació dels seus PLCs, amb l’objectiu de conèixer bé el programa per tal de interaccionar-hi més endavant amb el sistema SCADA 2. Disseny i programació del sistema SCADA, en aquesta fase s’ha realitzat tot el disseny gràfic de les pantalles de la interfície SCADA així com la programació dels objectes, la connexió amb els PLCs i la base de dades. 3. Posada en marxa del sistema complert, quan es coneixia abastament el funcionament de les estacions i el sistema SCADA estava completat s’ha fet la posada en marxa del conjunt i s’ha comprovat el correcte funcionament i interacció dels sistemes. 4. Realització de la memòria del projecte, en aquesta ultima fase s’ha realitzat la memòria del projecte on s’expliquen les característiques i funcionament de totes les estacions i del sistema SCADA. La conclusió més rellevant obtinguda en aquest treball, és la clara visualització de la potència i simplicitat que han aportat els sistemes SCADA al món de l’automatització, anys enrere per la supervisió de l’estat d’un sistema automatitzat era necessari disposar d’un gran espai amb grans panells de control formats per una gran quantitat de pilots lluminosos, potenciòmetres, interruptors, polsadors, displays i sobretot un voluminós i complexa cablejat, gràcies als sistemes SCADA avui en dia tot això pot quedar reduït a un PC o terminal tàctil, amb pantalles gràfiques clares i una gran quantitat d’opcions de supervisió control i configuració del sistema automatitzat.

Tackling Societal Challenges Related to Ageing and Transport Transition: An Introduction to Philosophical Principles of Causation Adapted to the Biopsychosocial Model

In geriatrics, driving cessation is addressed within the biopsychosocial model. This has broadened the scope of practitioners, not only in terms of assessing fitness to drive, but also by helping to maintain social engagements and provide support for transport transition. Causes can be addressed at different levels by adapting medication, improving physical health, modifying behaviour, adapting lifestyle, or bringing changes to the environment. This transdisciplinary approach requires an understanding of how different disciplines are linked to each other. This article reviews the philosophical principles of causality between fields and provides a framework for understanding causality within the biopsychosocial model. Understanding interlevel constraints should help practitioners overcome their differences, and favor transversal approaches to driving cessation.